No stand outs today

While there wasn't a clear "winner" in the pile of deletes from the Explore Collection today, one did have a little water damage to the pages that caught my eye. While I know that there could be several ways this could happen, it made me think perhaps it may have been read while the patron was lounging in the bathtub. Which then got me to thinking (uh oh!).

I thought about how the enjoyment of reading a book, while lounging in a warm bath (or hot tub) is something that seems to me to be only possible with the "written page" and not a "screen", or any other type of "electronic gadget" that one might use to listen to/read a book. Not only is there a fear of electrocution in many cases, but think about the cost of replacing said "electronic gadget" should it fall into the tub, vs. the price of any mass market paperback, or even a more expensive hardback. I don't know about anyone else, but for me, just the fear of possibly dropping anything more than an actual book into a tub of water (with or without me in it) is enough to take the "relaxing" right out of an otherwise enjoyable bath.

Then my thoughts rambled on to this blog and any possible discussion that could arise from all of my musings and I thought of a topic. Does anyone have a "most interesting place I've ever read a book" they'd like to share? And bare in mind that we here at SIL are to be considered a "family audience", so keep it clean folks. Pun intended as the bathtub is quite possibly the most interesting place I believe I personally have ever read a book, unless you include numerous Dr.'s offices, train/bus stations/airports etc., around the country. Even reading many books while curled up in the salon area of a boat, in the middle of Lake Roosevelt, doesn't quite pass as truly interesting to me. Relaxing, yes, interesting? maybe not. I'm hoping that perhaps someone out there has a truly interesting place they've read a book and is willing to share it, even if it's just interesting to you personally. :-) And maybe in the process it'll spark a memory in me as to a more interesting place I've read one.

"So many books, so little time" Jazzergigi

Today's dilapidated book

Today the book that I simply had to pull from the Explore Collection is "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen" by Syrie James. Lest any of our Jane Austen fans (of which I am myself) get too excited, this book is a work of fiction. However, this poor book is ripped at both the top and the bottom of the binding. It's cover, and many pages are curling out in both directions, front and back. And the back cover is also extremely wrinkled.

By the way, I should probably let everyone know (in case you don't already) that all of our Explore Titles are paperbacks. And that the collection is weeded out regularly, here at SRV, due to condition. This is a collection that we like to keep looking as new as possible. The books do however have a second chance at life. Mostly they go to various "Friends of the Library" Booksales. The water-damaged ones go to "Once Sold Tales". Sadly, if one is in really bad condition, then it does have to be tossed.

On the plus-side, I'd say that Jane's lost memoirs will definitely be going to a Friends' Booksale and will at some point in the near-future have a new home.

Today my thanks goes to thisandthat over at her blog by the same name, for her aid in finding this particularly beat-up book.

"So many books, so little time." Jazzergigi

Most decrepit book of the day

Somehow I found myself dreaming about blogging last night. Yikes. I'd been asking myself for days now about what I could "discuss" on my blog, and apparently the issue made it's way into my subconscious mind...scary, huh? And then this morning as I was working in our terrific Explore Collection I found a book that was particularly beat-up and it came to me. I can, from time to time, post the title of the book I've found to be the most used and abused. Which by the way, we actually like to see in the Explore Collection. It means that the books are actually being read and enjoyed by our most loyal public! Whether or not this means that the book was particularly fascinating, an award winner or just had the most fascinating cover, I'll leave for others to decide. My plan is to simply give the title, the author and maybe from time to time an extremely brief review taken from the cover of the book. My intention is to comment mostly on the condition of said books and marvel at the fact that people can be so hard on them! The last thing I want to do is "compete" with another blogger friend of mine, Joe over at captainill.blogspot.com/ and try in any way to be witty or brilliant here. I'll leave that up to the more seasoned professional here at SIL!!



Today's most beat-up book is "The Killing Moon" by Chuck Hogan. The book has been so well read that the spine is broken in 3 places, the back cover is convex, the pages are wrinkled and the cover itself is worn. In my humble opinion the cover art isn't particularly scintillating, but according to Booklist, the book is "Riveting".

Before I depart here for the day, I'd like to give a very special "Thanks!" to Groovelily over at Starfish and Coffee for her help this morning!

Yada Yada Yada

This is my "spot" to blather on now. Hence the title.



First I'd like to comment on how tough it was to find a blog title. The first 2 I tried were evidently taken.



What pressure! To create a "space" to talk about "nothing". My own personal Seinfeld Episode I guess. Again, hence the title.



Hopefully I can find somethings (perhaps even of genuine interest) to talk about periodically.